Article Types: News, Features, Sports, and Editorials


In all professional newspapers, writers are assigned a certain subject area to cover, and report to the editor of their section. In The Chronicle, there are 4 main sections: News, Features, Sports, and Entertainment.

In The Chronicle, journalists are what section their story falls under, and what editor to report to. That editor is responsible for the editing, placing, and layout of their section.

News Section

The News Section is led by the News Editor. These articles are almost always hard news, and are often placed on the front cover, as well as throughout the issue. They should be serious in nature, and should be at least 650 words in length. They often use quotations from multiple sources, as well as pictures or other relevant graphics. News articles should represent the majority of the articles published in the paper for any given issue, with the exception of the April Fools' Issue and Graduation Issue.

Features Section

The Features Section is led by the Features Editor, and includes both hard and soft news pieces that normally are run with other articles of a similar theme. For example, a feature might be run about Homecoming Week. This would include hard news articles about the dance, soft news articles about the bonfire and tailgate, and numerous pictures. This provides a natural balance for an interesting spread.

Features are normally spread across two adjoining pages. Features may be any length. Articles from other sections may also fall under the jurisdiction of the Features Section if subject permits: an article done by the Sports Section about the Homecoming football game would be considered a features article if put in the homecoming spread.

Sports Section

The Sports Section reports to the Sports Editor, and includes articles and reviews of sports teams, whether they be school, regional, national, or international teams. The Sports Section will almost always use pictures to supplement their articles. Sports articles should be around 400-800 words, unless a spread is being created, in which case they may be extended further. Sports articles, like all other articles, should not be written by a journalist who has a specific tie to the team (ie. player, manager, coach, etc.) as this is a conflict of interest.

Entertainment Section

The Entertainment Section is under the jurisdiction of the Entertainment Editor. This section includes comics, reviews (including music, movie, and video game reviews), and "mushy news" articles (see "Defining News"). Comics should be submitted as digital TIFF, JPEG, or GIF files. Reviews should be anywhere from 400-700 words.

All reviews and comics should be school appropriate. The rule of thumb is that if you have to ask if it is appropriate, it probably isn't. Reviewers should avoid writing critiques on movies/songs/etc. with expletives in the title. Comics may not be about a particular student, faculty member, administrator, or other person without expressed approval by said person; even in this instance, comics may not be hurtful or demeaning to the person in any way, shape, or form.

Other Articles

Aside from the article types listed in the above sections, other types of stories may be reported. Opinion and editorial pieces fall under the jurisdiction of the Associate Editor and the Editor-in-Chief. Articles written by outside or guest writers fall under the jurisdiction of the Editor-in-Chief unless determined otherwise. Articles submitted by Student Council or other student organizations are under the control of the Editor-in-Chief. If there is a question as to what editor an article falls under, the Editor-in-Chief and the advisers should be consulted.


Works Cited


Levin, Mark. EXp3 - Journalism: A Handbook for Journalists. 1952. Lincolnwood, Illinois, USA: National Textbook Company, 1999. Print.

“Module One - Print Journalism.” Journalism Studies 20. Saskatchewan Schools and School Div., 2005. Web. 19 Sept. 2011. <http://www.saskschools.ca/‌curr_content/‌journalism20/‌print_journalism/‌print_journalism_index.htm>.